The mini-cab service published a blog yesterday warning customers drivers will be operating a ‘surge pricing policy’.

On busy nights with peak demand – like New Year’s Eve – we use surge pricing to get enough cars on the road and help ensure you always have a reliable ride.

The idea is that by charging more, it encourages drivers to move to areas of high demand.

Uber operates a dynamic pricing system – this is something that turns on automatically to try and match supply with demand. Essentially prices will go up to help encourage drivers into areas of high demand. As such the % rise will depend on the demand.

But for anyone wanting a ride home, it means your fare being multiplied up to three times the basic price. This doesn’t even take into account longer journey times caused by road closures and an increased number of drivers on the road – so you’ll pay more there too.

A basic fare with Uber in London is normally 1.50 per mile or £20-£25 on average, according to their website, but with surge pricing this can increase up to £75 on average.

Other taxi firms will not increase their pricing at all this New Year. A spokeswoman from Addison Lee told Metro.co.uk today they operate a fixed price policy, which does not change over New Year’s Eve. Black cabs meanwhile will add a £4 surcharge.

The idea with Uber’s surge pricing is that it comes into play when there aren’t enough cars on the road.

On New Year’s Eve, everyone is looking for rides at exactly the same times. We expect the highest demand—and fares—between 12:30 and 2:30 AM. For the most affordable rides, request right when the ball drops at midnight or wait until later for prices to return to normal.

But you’d be better off avoiding getting mini-cabs or taxis all together.